Governor Pat Quinn spoke to the 98th General Assembly this week in his annual State of the State Address. Senator Bill Cunningham reacted to the 38-minute speech shortly afterward.

Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) is helping to spread awareness of heart disease, the number one killer of men and women here in Illinois. 

“The least I can do is wear red today to show my support for spreading awareness of heart disease,” said Sen. Cunningham. “Not everyone knows that heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women here in Illinois. My hope is that women and men will become more informed of the risk factors of heart disease, and that more lives will be saved because of this effort to increase awareness.”

Legislators and statewide elected officials were asked to wear red today in support of the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement by the Conference of Women Legislators. 

Sen. Cunningham will be wearing a red tie to show his support.

Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) is one of 15 newly-elected General Assembly members who will comprise Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon’s Firearms Working Group in an effort to bridge the regional gaps related to gun ownership and use in Illinois.

“I look forward to working with members across the aisle to address the gun control issues we face in Illinois,” said Sen. Cunningham. "By talking to gun owners and people impacted by gun violence, I hope to learn more about what needs to be done to address the important issue of gun control in our state. My hope is that as a group we can reach a consensus and do what is best for the residents of Illinois.”

The working group consists of newly elected members in both chambers of the General Assembly. These members represent urban, suburban and rural districts. The goal is to meet with stakeholders on all sides of the gun control debate. 

This past December, a federal appeals court struck down Illinois’ ban on carrying concealed weapons and gave the state 180 days to pass legislation allowing for concealed carry.

The Firearms Working Group plans to talk to gun owners, hunters, families impacted by gun violence, domestic violence prevention advocates, mental health experts and law enforcement officials, among others. 

William Cunningham (D-Chicago) and 10 other newly elected Democrats were inaugurated into the Illinois State Senate during ceremonies today at the Capitol. Cunningham represents the 18th District in the new 98th General Assembly as a member of the majority Democratic Caucus, which has a record 40 of 59 seats.
 
“It is an honor to follow in Senator Ed Maloney’s footsteps representing the people of Worth, Palos and Orland Townships, and the Southwest side of Chicago,” Cunningham said. “I look forward to continuing to work on improving Illinois’ future opportunities in educating our children, employing our citizens and expanding our economy.”
 
Cunningham served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2011 through 2012. He spent the previous 20 years with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office as Communications Director and Chief of Staff. Cunningham has been active in civic organizations serving children, seniors and area schools. He and his wife have two daughters and live in Beverly.
 
The 18th District encompasses Southwest Cook County suburbs and neighborhoods including Mt. Greenwood, Beverly and Morgan Park in Chicago.